Caleb Yuan (Lotto Soudal) won the sprint in Sunday's Tour Down Under and Schwalbe Classic criterium, but EF Pro Cycling stood out as the best lead-out train in the race.

EF Procycling overshadowed Detunink-Quickstep, Cofidis, and Team Ineos on the final lap of the 1.7km Adelaide circuit. With 220m to go, Roger Kluge fell behind and Caleb Yuan accelerated to win.

Halvorsen chased hard, but Viviani, his lead-out man Simone Consonni, and Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) passed him before the line.

"The first sprint of the year was a bit of a shock to the body, but it was really good. In the end we were the best team, but it was me who didn't have the right timing," Halvorsen said.

"The riders in front of me were a bit faster today, but this was the first time we raced together. I believe we can get a result this week."

EF Pro Cycling hired Halvorsen after two seasons with Team Ineos. Because of his focus on Grand Tours, he did not receive full support from the British team, but EF Pro Cycling worked to build a fast pink and blue train to support him.

EF Pro Cycling's Directeur Sportif, Tom Southam, is quietly confident that Halvorsen can cause an upset against Ewan, Viviani, and Sam Bennett at the Tour Down Under.

"This is the first time I've had a lead-out train on the road, and I think they are really suited for the task," Southam enthused to Cycling News.

"These riders really help him properly. Tom Scully, Mitch Docker, Jens Keukerer, and Jonas [Lucci] from Neo Pro. They will form a really good unit. It's a work in progress, but there's no reason why they can't get off to a good start.

"I got to know Christopher as a sprinter and I think he has a chance to test himself. He is only 23 and will not know himself yet, so it will be interesting to push him on the harder stages and see what he can do.